BIKES: Anticipation for the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire is ever-growing with more details released every week
BIKES: Anticipation for the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire is ever-growing with more details released every week

Tour de Yorkshire official timings announced

The highly anticipated start and finish times for the Tour de Yorkshire were finally announced last week, along with the precise location details of the race starts and finishes.

The major international cycling race will be held between 1st and 3rd May with the routes for the three days taking the event through some of the county’s most spectacular scenery.

The routes were announced in Bridlington earlier this year and now the race organisers, Welcome to Yorkshire and the Amaury Sport Organisation based in France, have announced the timings and details of the location starts and finishes.

Stage one from Bridlington to Scarborough will have a ceremonial start at 11.45am on South Marine Drive outside the Bridlington Spa. Riders will have a 5km neutralised section before the official race start at Sewerby at 12noon. Depending on rider’s speed the race will finish between 4pm and 4.30pm on Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough.

Key timings for stage one include Dalby Forest King of the Mountain climb at approximately 1.15pm, a sprint through Pickering at approximately 1.40pm, Rosedale Abbey King of the Mountain climb at approximately 2.08pm, Grosmont King of the Mountain climb at approximately 2.52pm, the Whitby Sprint at around 3.09pm and the finish in Scarborough between 4pm and 4.30pm depending on the speed of the riders.

Stage two, from Selby to York, will have a ceremonial start at 11.20am outside Selby Abbey. Riders will have an 8km neutralised section before the official race start just outside Selby on the A163 at 11.45am. Depending on riders’ speed, the race will finish between 3.30pm and 4pm on Knavesmire Road in York.

Key points in stage two include the race reaching North Newbald King of the Mountain climb at approximately 12.30pm, the Wetwang Sprint at approximately 1.23pm, Fimber King of the Mountain climb at approximately 1.29pm with the York Sprint and first crossing of the finish line, ahead of two laps of the City at approximately 2.40pm Stage three, from Wakefield to Leeds, will start at 12.15pm outside Wakefield Cathedral.

Riders will have a 4km neutralised section before the official race start at Agbrigg Road on the A61 at 12.30pm. Depending on riders’ speed the race will finish between 4.30pm and 5pm at Roundhay Park in Leeds.Key points in stage three include the race reaching the Holmfirth King of the Mountain climb at approximately 1.28pm, Scapegoat King of the Mountain climb at approximately 1.51pm

Hebden Bridge King of the Mountain climb at approximately 2.48pm, Goose Eye King of the Mountain climb at approximately 3.11pm, the Ilkley Sprint at approximately 3.39pm, the Cow & Calf King of the Mountain climb at approximately 3.42pm, Chevin King of the Mountain climb at approximately 3.59pm, and the final Arthington Sprint before the finish in Leeds at approximately 4.12pm.